Best Insurance for Surrogacy: How to Choose the Right Coverage

Surrogacy is a life-changing journey, but it also comes with important practical considerations — including making sure the right insurance is in place. Proper surrogacy health coverage protects both the surrogate and the intended parents from unexpected medical costs, ensuring the pregnancy receives the highest standard of care.

In this guide, we’ll explain what surrogacy insurance is, what it should include, some of the most common plans used in surrogacy, and how Hatch supports intended parents in securing the right coverage for their needs.

What Is Surrogacy Insurance?

Surrogacy insurance is health coverage that includes maternity care for a pregnancy carried by a surrogate. While it might sound straightforward, not all health insurance plans automatically cover surrogate pregnancies — and some policies specifically exclude them. Our full guide on whether surrogacy is covered by insurance explains why coverage can vary so much between plans.

The right policy ensures that medical costs for prenatal care, labor and delivery, and any complications are covered, providing peace of mind throughout the journey.

What Should Surrogacy Insurance Cover?

When evaluating insurance for surrogacy, intended parents should look for policies that cover:

• Prenatal care: Routine check-ups, ultrasounds, and lab work
• Labor and delivery: Hospital fees, physician charges, anesthesia
• Postpartum care: Follow-up visits for the surrogate after birth
• Pregnancy complications: Any treatments or extended care needed
• Newborn care: Medical expenses for the baby immediately after delivery

Coverage should ideally begin before the embryo transfer to avoid any gaps in protection.

Types of Surrogacy Insurance

1. Existing Health Insurance

Some surrogates have personal insurance that covers surrogacy-related maternity care. This can be cost-effective, but the policy must be reviewed carefully for exclusions.

2. Surrogacy-Specific Policies

Specialized insurers offer plans designed for surrogate pregnancies. These are often arranged through agencies and can be a good option if the surrogate’s existing plan does not cover surrogacy.

3. Supplemental Coverage

Additional coverage can be purchased to fill gaps in a primary policy, such as newborn medical care or certain pregnancy-related complications.

Best Insurance Options for Surrogacy

While the “best” plan depends on each family’s needs, some of the most widely used and recommended options in the surrogacy community include:

• Lloyd’s of London – Often used for surrogates without qualifying personal insurance; customizable coverage for maternity and delivery.
  
  
• New Life Agency – Specializes in assisted reproduction insurance, including surrogate maternity and newborn coverage.
• ART Risk Financial & Insurance Solutions – Offers a variety of surrogacy-specific plans, including gap coverage and newborn care.
• UnitedHealthcare & Blue Cross Blue Shield Plans – Certain state and employer plans may include surrogacy maternity coverage, but require careful policy review.
• Supplemental Newborn Policies – Provided by agencies or insurers to cover the baby’s care immediately after birth.

For those pursuing gestational surrogacy, these plans ensure maternity and delivery expenses are properly covered, even though the surrogate has no genetic link to the baby.

How Much Does Insurance Cost for Surrogacy Maternity Coverage?

The cost of surrogacy maternity insurance varies widely depending on the type of policy, the surrogate’s location, and the level of coverage.

Here’s a general breakdown of what intended parents might expect:

• Existing surrogate insurance with coverage – May add little to no extra cost, aside from deductibles, copays, and coinsurance.
• Surrogacy-specific policies – Typically range from $15,000 to $35,000+ for comprehensive maternity coverage.
• Supplemental newborn policies – Often $5,000 to $15,000, depending on coverage limits and whether the baby requires NICU care.

When budgeting, it’s important to include insurance as part of your overall gestational surrogacy cost, as it can be one of the largest expenses beyond agency fees and medical procedures.

Choosing the Best Insurance for Surrogacy

When selecting a plan, intended parents should consider:

• Explicit surrogacy coverage: Confirm that surrogate pregnancies are included
• Coverage limits: Check annual and lifetime maximums
• Provider networks: Ensure access to high-quality maternity care
• Out-of-pocket costs: Understand deductibles, copays, and coinsurance
• Effective date: Make sure the policy starts before medical procedures begin

For more details on policy types and selection, see our guide on insurance coverage for surrogacy.

How Hatch Supports Intended Parents

Insurance terms can be complex, and policies vary widely. Hatch helps intended parents by:

• Reviewing the surrogate’s current plan for exclusions or gaps
• Partnering with insurance specialists to source the right coverage
• Ensuring coverage is in place before embryo transfer
• Managing communication with providers to streamline claims

This proactive approach safeguards everyone involved, so intended parents can focus on the excitement of building their family.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the best insurance for surrogacy isn’t just about finding any plan — it’s about ensuring protection, clarity, and peace of mind for all parties. With the right coverage in place, intended parents can move forward with confidence.